Arsenal problems mount up as Jack Wilshere struggles to be fit for Udinese return

Arsenal face a serious injury crisis ahead of their upcoming match against Liverpool and the Champions League third qualifying round second leg with Udinese.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere looks unlikely to make the trip to Udine to defend the Gunners’ slender 1-0 lead, which was secured through Theo Walcott ‘s goal on Tuesday night at the Emirates.

Jack Wilshere is struggling to shake off an ankle injury in time to play Udinese next week. (PA)

The 19-year-old is still wearing a protective boot as he struggles with an ankle injury picked up in a pre-season friendly with the New York Red Bulls.

Wilshere is certain to miss the Premier League home game against Liverpool on Saturday, leaving Gunners boss Arsene Wenger with a major selection headache.

Alex Song starts a three-match ban after his stamp on Joey Barton, while new signing Gervinho received a similar suspension for slapping the same player.

Cesc Fabregas has left for Barcelona and Samir Nasri looks set to seal a move to Manchester City, while Abou Diaby joins Wilshere in the treatment room.

Wenger also has major problems with his defence, as Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou both limped off against Udinese with hamstring problems.

As if this was not enough to deal with, Wenger may also face sanctions from Uefa, after he used Boro Primorac to communicate with assistant Pat Rice on the Emirates bench while serving his one-match touchline ban against Udinese.

Uefa rules state that a manager serving such a suspension ‘may not enter the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before or during the match, nor may he communicate with his team’.